The Republican | Mark M. MurrayRev. Talbert W. Swan II, president of the Springfield branch of the NAACP, is again calling for an "independent investigation" into the death of Tahiem Goffe. The teenager was killed when a Springfield police officer shot him as Goffe allegedly drove toward the officer in a stolen car in November.

SPRINGFIELD - The Rev. Talbert W. Swan, Springfield branch president of the NAACP, Thursday renewed his request for an independent investigation of the shooting death of 18-year-old Tahiem Goffe.

The teenager died of injuries inflicted by a gunshot wound in the wake of a Nov. 6 confrontation with police, who said Goffe was behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle when he attempted to run down an officer.

In a statement released on Thursday, Swan said, “The Springfield Branch NAACP is requesting an independent investigation into all police-involved shootings resulting in serious injury or death in order to ensure that proper police procedures were employed and that the investigation will not be compromised.”

Goffe was shot by Springfield police early on the morning of Nov. 6, after authorities said he drove at Police Officer Matthew Benoit, who was on foot, striking Benoit and sending him airborne over the front corner of the vehicle and onto the pavement.

“The officer was able to fire a round at the oncoming car to possibly save his life,” Sgt. John M. Delaney said.

Hampden County District Attorney Mark G. Mastrioanni said he met with Swan on Thursday following his request for an independent investigation of the shooting.

Mastrioanni said the Internal Investigations Unit of the Springfield Police Department is conducting a separate investigation into the shooting with the assistance of the state police ballistics team in addition to the standard investigation by the city's Detective Bureau.

“These are two parallel investigations,” he said.

He said his office may conduct a further investigation and will make all findings public.

“I will review Rev. Swan’s request for an independent investigation, and will respond,” Mastroianni said.

Mastroianni added, “I think we have a fair investigatory review process in place, but I am not closing the door to his request.”

In a letter to Mastroianni, Swan said, “While the Springfield Branch NAACP is hopeful that the District Attorney’s office, under the leadership of District Attorney Mark G. Mastroianni, will be more diligent in its effort to insure the integrity of investigations into police conduct than previous administrations, we cannot overlook the historical fact that the office has not been, and, in the nature of things, could not be, an effective instrument for insuring such transparency.”

Swan said that in the Tahiem Goffe case, the D.A.’s office “must consider potential testimony from the only two eyewitnesses to the police shooting of Mr. Goffe while at the same time, prosecuting the very same witnesses, who have pending charges against them.”